One saucepan, one apple and a couple of cinnamon sticks, and the whole house smells like an orchard.
Prep5 min
Cook10 min
Total15 min
Serves4
LevelEasy
What makes it special
Apple
Cinnamon sticks
Lemon juice
I make this on the first properly cold day of autumn, usually without planning to. There is always one apple going a bit soft in the fruit bowl, and this is the nicest thing you can do with it.
Why it tastes so good
The apple slices give the water a gentle, natural sweetness, and whole cinnamon sticks add warmth without any of the grittiness you get from ground spice. Black tea goes in at the very end, off the heat, so it never turns bitter.
Picking your apple
Sweet, crisp varieties work best. Honeycrisp, Gala and Fuji all give lovely flavor. Granny Smith works too, but you will probably want a spoonful of honey.
My little rules
Slice thin. More surface means more flavor in less time.
Simmer, don't boil hard. A gentle bubble keeps the tea clear.
Tea goes in last. Three to five minutes, then out.
Taste before sweetening. Often it doesn't need anything.
Ways to change it
Ginger: add a few slices of fresh ginger with the apple.
Chai: use chai tea bags instead of plain black tea.
Fizzy: chill it and top each glass with sparkling water.
Bedtime: leave out the tea entirely for a caffeine-free cup.
Make a jug
I often double the batch and keep it in the fridge for the next couple of days. Over ice with a fresh apple slice, it's a great swap for soda.
Fresh apple slices and cinnamon sticks simmered on the stove, then steeped with black tea. Naturally sweet and lovely hot or poured over ice.
Drinks Easy American
Prep
5 min
Cook
10 min
Total
15 min
Servings
4
Ingredients 6 items
Tap to check off as you go
Tea Base
Instructions 7 steps
1
Bring the water to a gentle boil in a saucepan.
2
Drop in the apple slices and cinnamon sticks.
3
Turn the heat down and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes.
4
Take the pan off the heat and add the tea bags.
5
Steep for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on how strong you like it.
6
Remove the tea bags and stir in honey or a squeeze of lemon if you want.
7
Pour into mugs, or let it cool and serve it over ice.
Nutrition per serving
Calories
40
Carbs
10g
Sugar
8g
Fiber
1g
Sodium
5mg
Questions, answered
Do I need to peel the apple?
No. The peel adds color and flavor. Just wash it well and slice it thin.
Can I skip the black tea?
Yes. Simmer the apples and cinnamon a few minutes longer and you have a caffeine-free fruit tea.
How long does it keep?
Up to 3 days in a covered jug in the fridge. Drink it cold or warm it gently.
Recipe by
Denise
Home cook, baker and serial recipe tweaker. I share the dishes my family asks for most, written step by step so they turn out right in your kitchen too.
